I'd be in heaven if I could see cars like that everyday. It's so nice to hit up BC and see some classic Japanese cars in great shape... here, they'd have holes the size of dinners plates from all of the rust

 

So Saturday was spring install day.

Ever since Jeremy replaced his Espelir springs with coilovers on his Sebring S2K, I have been coveting them. He would not sell them to me, as much as I wanted them. Fast forward to him selling the car to Chip and including the spring/shock combo in the sale. Chip knew he would never go back to springs and offered them up to me. Thanks again to both Jeremy and Chip!

Now to some pics:

Stock height:






Rear:


Front:


Lowered:










Initial review: Unfortunately, I did not torque the rears down correctly. You are supposed to hand tighten everything, then compress the rear before torquing it all down. We did not do that, so I have a bit of a wobble in the rear under acceleration. I'll go back and get them torqued properly.

Ride is slightly stiffer than stock, although not terribly so. Car handles like a slot car racer now! I definitely notice how far down the seat is now when I get in. Laurie tried getting out of the car on one foot the other day and hurt her knee---I keep telling her to swing both feet out of the car and just stand up. She'll learn eventually----or not!

I'm very satisfied with the reduction in wheel gap---its what I was going for mostly. Everything else is just icing on the cake!

 

Depending on the car you're looking for, you'll find tons around the upper midwest with little to no rust. Cars like the S2k are stored for the winter by 90% of owners and only come out when the salt and sand is gone. Because of that, no rust!

I've seen a handful of R32 GTRs and RHD RX7's cruising around from time to time but they just aren't as popular here as classic American cars. There are TONS of flawless classic Chargers, Chevelles, Corvettes, Camaros, Mustangs, etc all over.

 

Looking good!

You might also need to adjust your headlight because of the significant height difference.

 

awesome, Dave!
I'm sorry I'm such a hard headed bastid...I always keep my stock parts!

 

Thanks guys.

So the vibration I am getting seems like it may be the pitted CV buckets (based on a search of S2KI). I think I will try re-torquing everything the correct way first and if it remains, I will go in and swap the buckets. Billman says that is the way to go.

 

Michelin Pilot Super Sports are getting installed today.

Doing my differential and tranny fluid Thursday, got myself some proper ramps.

 

^ Awesome! I'm loving my new Potenzas, need to get some new fronts early next year though. The ones on there now are original to the car...

I was supposed to do tranny and diff this past weekend but I forgot about getting crush washers until Sunday when the parts departments are all closed. Facepalm to myself.

 

Nice, Ken...
Yeah Dave, I've heard that too...hope it's an easy solution.

 

This S2K was with us for yesterday's ACH canyon run. His car had 265s on all four corners. Absolutely massive.

 

Walking to lunch today I saw an older gentleman driving a prestine sebring. Was going to ask him if he would sale it. If he said yes, I don't know what the hell would have happened next.

 

 

Actually I probably could. Going home

I bought an S2k...

 

............. did you.

 

I was going to ask him the same thing...

He's up to something.

 

I know Mr. Penguin has been nursing a throbbing S2000 semi for awhile now.

So, I've been on the fence about selling my S2000 for the last 2 - 3 weeks and somewhat decided against it. I figured I'm going to enjoy the car a lot more if I fix it 100%.

Still not sure what I'm going to do about my driveway situation

I ordered:

Motor mounts (DIY)
Front & rear pads
Differential & Transmission fluid
Amsoil 10W30

 

^Yea, don't sale your car. If you do Penguin might buy it. It would be a nice road trip for him..

I want an S2k, but 2 seats and 2 kids and wanting a 10' S4 I don't think I can. But then when I see one I'm like eff it, you only live once...

 

Update: Michelin Pilots are awesome. So much grip, ride quality unchanged. Steering precision increased.

Previous tires were Toyo Proxes 4s, lasted me 24,000 miles. Quiet, good feedback, and obviously lasted me a while.

 

The PSSs are good tires! Enjoy them!

 

i can't imagine how it feels with 265 in the front.

I had 235 in the front before and i was already annoyed by understeer turn ins.

 

Tyler, you would regret it, man. SHiT...you might even RAGRET it.
I need to take a look at my mounts...my rear diff mount was torn...driver side, like everyone...

 

No ragrets bruh.

Sadly no S2k yet, HOWEVER, I'm looking to purchase an AP2 around March of next year. I'm getting married later this year and just bought my first house two months ago, so this year isn't exactly financially stable enough for a car purchase

So once the wedding and honeymoon is over this year and upgrades to the house slow down, then I plan on adding an AP2 to the stable. The TL has been paid off of two years and I know I'll need another sedan in the future, so I can't justify selling it. Plus it's not worth a lot with it's recently body repair along with being over a decade old.

I'm on the lookout for a Laguna Blue AP2, preferably under $20k. I'm hoping someone will want to unload theirs during the cold months and I can get a good deal, but damn these cars hold their value.

I'm just starting the search and trying to be as well educated about them as possible. Until then, I'm living vicariously through all of you lucky bastards.

 

My square 255 setup felt great, and the way the tires poked out a little in the front looked juuuuuust right

 

Dude, your reasoning for keeping the TL AND getting an S2000 are exactly like mine! Lot of good information in this thread...I'd also suggest you start scouring S2KI...and if you find a clean Laguna for under 20K, I'd also suggest you jump on it whenever you see it. You'll rarely find those...have a 2nd and 3rd color you'd be willing to be happy with!


I like the staggered look, with the front being more inset. Then again, you had a purpose since you track like a mad mad man.

 

This was my rationale as well. Though I don't have any kids. But I do need a new DD here soon since I sold the TL.

Finding a mint condition Sebring isn't all that hard, just takes time and money. I bought one that was 90% mint and working on getting that last 10% there.

lol, if you can find a good to mint condition Laguna AP2 with low miles under $20k, you should buy it and immediately resell it for a large profit. They do hold their value and prices are going up as of late so jump on it ASAP.

 

I had another dream that I bought an S2K. Damnit.

A few days ago at the grocery store I saw an older gentleman get into an AP1. I almost asked him if he would sell it.

 

You'd miss the power, Phil.

 

No he won't

 

Uh...HE MIGHT!
I mean, I LOVE the S2000...obviously...

 

Vtec feels stronger than turbo!!!

 

+1, something about the noise, vibration, and knowing that the 4 cylinders of fury are spinning away at 8k rpm in front of you is more exciting than turbo lag.

 

Divorce. I'm 99% sure of it.

 

I went home last night and told my wife, you know, you only live once, she asked me what I wanted.

As long as you can afford it, go for it.

 

That's my wife's rule. If I want it, I buy it.

 

I want hookers and blow but Wifey says I can't buy those

If you have the funds to buy a fun car, go for it. I definitely wouldn't bring a new car home without talking to Wifey first. It's not that she wouldn't be supportive of it, but spending 10+k without at least a five minute chat would not end very well, at least for me, lol.

 

No joint account here

Hookers and blow await!

 

I will look into it. I think it wouldn't be until late next year.

I need to get the Corolla off my hands and get my wife her SUV. Square away the Chevelle/Nova project.... Take things one day at a time, and go from there.

 

Joint account, but she doesn't check the bank account ever.

I've thought about getting seperate accounts.... but don't know how that would go.

 

You weren't driving fast enough!

 

Or you can just sell everything and start from scratch!